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Auto transport driver vs truck driver

The differences between auto transport drivers and truck drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an auto transport driver and a truck driver. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, which is higher than the $51,450 average annual salary of an auto transport driver.

The top three skills for an auto transport driver include transport vehicles, CDL and customer service. The most important skills for a truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.

Auto transport driver vs truck driver overview

Auto Transport DriverTruck Driver
Yearly salary$51,450$60,326
Hourly rate$24.74$29.00
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs703,161827,858
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 48%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Auto transport driver vs truck driver salary

Auto transport drivers and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Auto Transport DriverTruck Driver
Average salary$51,450$60,326
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $73,000Between $40,000 And $90,000
Highest paying City-Wilmington, DE
Highest paying state-Delaware
Best paying company-W. R. Grace & Co
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between auto transport driver and truck driver education

There are a few differences between an auto transport driver and a truck driver in terms of educational background:

Auto Transport DriverTruck Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 48%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Auto transport driver vs truck driver demographics

Here are the differences between auto transport drivers' and truck drivers' demographics:

Auto Transport DriverTruck Driver
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 87.2% Female, 12.8%Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between auto transport driver and truck driver duties and responsibilities

Auto transport driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Drive tractor-trailer combination applying knowledge of commercial driving regulations, to transport and deliver general commodities.
  • Drive flatb with sand sacs from train depot to load site.

Truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
  • Flatb loads including steel and specialty metals, pipe, refractory brick, commercial building materials, lumber and equipment.
  • Follow all HAZMAT regulations while transporting hazardous materials.
  • Utilize appropriate PPE at all times.
  • Dedicate run from Tennessee to California with LTL.
  • Used proper PPE and safety equipment when need.
  • Show more

Auto transport driver vs truck driver skills

Common auto transport driver skills
  • Transport Vehicles, 45%
  • CDL, 18%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Load Vehicles, 6%
  • TWIC, 6%
  • Delivery Schedules, 3%
Common truck driver skills
  • CDL, 47%
  • OTR, 12%
  • DOT, 10%
  • PET, 6%
  • Hazmat, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%

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